Flow measuring device for lubrication systems

ABSTRACT

A flow measuring device includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet, a shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable about a central axis and a flow detector mounted on the shaft and disposed partially within the passage, such that fluid flow through the passage rotates the detector about the axis. A magnet is mounted on the shaft and spaced axially from the detector and a sensor disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the shaft angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector. Preferably, the sensor includes a switch adjustable from open and closed states when either one of the poles of the magnet is proximal to the switch. A processor is connected with the switch and determines flow volume and/or flow rate through the passage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to flow measuring devices, and particularly to such devices for use with highly viscous lubricants.

Flow detecting or measuring devices are particularly important for lubrication systems as such devices confirm that sufficient lubrication has in fact been dispensed to critical system components. Such flow measuring devices typically include a housing containing a passage for carrying a portion of the flow to be measured and a detection/measurement component or assembly for detecting, or actually measuring, the flow through the passage. Previous measuring devices have used components such as thermistors, transducers, induction sensors or other complex electronic devices to detect or measure flow and often required specialized equipment, such as a customized controller, to receive and evaluate the information from the particular measuring unit. These known measuring devices are generally relatively expensive and often inadequately robust to operate in the temperature extremes often experienced by many lubrication systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a device for measuring flow of a fluid, the device comprising a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet. A shaft is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a central axis. A flow detector is mounted on the shaft and is disposed at least partially within the passage such that fluid flow through the passage rotates the detector about the central axis. Further, a magnet is mounted on the shaft and spaced axially from the detector and a sensor is disposed within the housing. The sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the shaft angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector.

In another aspect, the present invention is again a device for measuring flow of a fluid, the flow measuring device comprising a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet. A shaft is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a central axis. A flow detector is mounted on the shaft and is disposed at least partially within the passage, such that fluid flow through the passage rotates the detector about the central axis. Further, a magnetic rod is mounted on the shaft, spaced axially from the detector, and having two opposing ends and a centerline extending between the two ends, one rod end providing a north pole and the other rod end providing a south pole. The rod end is generally centered on the axis, such that the centerline extends generally perpendicular to the central axis and the two rod ends displace generally along a circular path about the central axis. Furthermore, a switch is disposed within the housing and is configured to adjust from a first configuration to a second configuration when either one of the north and south poles approaches a position on the circular path most proximal to the switch, and to adjust from the second configuration to the first configuration when each of the north and south poles approach a separate one of two positions on the circular path located generally equidistant from the switch. One of the first and second configurations is a closed state and the other one of the first and second configurations is an open state.

In a further aspect, the present invention is a device for measuring flow of a highly viscous fluid, the flow measuring device comprising a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet. A shaft is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a central axis, the axis extending generally perpendicular to at least one section of the passage. A generally cylindrical flow detector disk is mounted on the shaft, has a plurality of cavities spaced circumferentially about the central axis and is disposed at least partially within the passage so as to substantially obstruct the section of the passage. As such, the fluid flowing through the passage contacts the disk, at least partially fills at least one of the cavities and rotates the disk about the central axis while the disk transports the fluid through the flow passage section. Further, a sensor is disposed within the housing and is configured to sense rotation of the shaft about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the detector disk. A processor is electrically coupled with the sensor and is configured to determine a flow rate of the fluid through the passage and/or a total volume of flow of the fluid through the passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, which are diagrammatic, embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a flow measuring device in accordance with a first preferred construction of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the measuring device, showing a more diagrammatic view of a processor;

FIG. 3 is a perspective, cross-sectional view through line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a broken-away, enlarged view of a central portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view through line 6-6 of FIG. 2:

FIGS. 7A-7D, collective FIG. 7, are each a broken-away, cross-sectional view of a central portion of FIG. 6, each depicting a different angular position of a magnet of the measuring device;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sensor and detector assembly of the flow measuring device;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a shaft, flow detector and a magnet of the detector assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view through line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing a housing of the flow measuring device;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing the housing of the flow measuring device;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through line 6-6 of FIG. 2, showing the housing of the flow measuring device;

FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view through line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing the measuring device connected with a lubricant system and indicating flow through the device;

FIG. 14 is a broken-away, enlarged view of a central portion of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view through line 15-15 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a broken-away, enlarged view of a central portion of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a flow measuring device in accordance with a second preferred construction of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view through line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view through line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a base of a housing of the second preferred construction;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view through line 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view through line 23-23 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view through line 24-24 of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, exploded view of a detector assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, left”, “lower”, “upper”, “upward”, “down” and “downward” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”, “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or a geometric center of an element being described, the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Further, as used herein, the word “connected” is intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Furthermore, the term “fluid” as used herein is intended to include both liquids and semi-solids capable of being transported through a passage, a channel, a tube or similar structure, and the term “flow” is intended to mean any such movement, conveyance or transportation of a “fluid”. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbers are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-25 a device 10 for measuring flow of a fluid F, preferably a highly viscous fluid such as a grease or other relatively “thick” lubricant. The flow measuring device 10 basically comprises a housing 12, a shaft 14 disposed within the housing 12 and rotatable about a central axis 15, a flow detector 16 mounted on the shaft 14 and a sensor 18 configured to sense rotation of the shaft 14 about the axis 15. The housing 12 has an inlet 20 connectable with a first section 1 a of a lubricant line 1 (FIG. 13), an outlet 22 connectable with a second section 1 b of the lubricant line 1, and a flow passage 24 extending between the inlet 20 and the outlet 22. The flow detector 16 is disposed at least partially within a “measuring” section 25 of the passage 24 such that flow of the fluid F through the passage 24 rotates the detector 16 about the central axis 15. Further, the flow measuring device 10 preferably also comprises a processor 26 electrically coupled with the sensor 18 and configured to determine a flow rate of the fluid F through the passage 24 and/or a total volume of flow of the fluid F through the passage 24, as discussed in further detail below.

Preferably, a magnet 30 is mounted on the shaft 14 and is spaced axially from the detector 16, such that the shaft 14, the flow detector 16 and the magnet 30 form a detector assembly 17, as best shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 18. The sensor 18 is configured to sense rotation of the magnet 30 as the shaft 14 angularly displaces about the central axis 15, so as to thereby detect angular displacement of the flow detector 16. Alternatively, the sensor 18 may either directly sense rotation of the shaft 14 or sense another component mounted on or formed with the shaft 14, such as for example, sensing optical markings on the shaft 14 or a toothed wheel mounted on the shaft 14 (neither shown).

In preferred constructions, the magnet 30 includes a generally circular cylindrical rod 32 having two opposing ends 34A, 34B and a centerline 35 extending between the two ends 34A, 34B. One rod end 34A provides a north magnetic pole N and the other rod end 34B provides a south magnetic pole S. Further, the rod 32 is generally centered on the axis 15 such that the centerline 35 extends generally perpendicular to, and generally intersects, the central axis 15 and the two rod ends 34A, 34B are located generally equidistant from the axis 15. As such, the two rod ends 34A, 34B displace generally along a circular path P_(C) (FIG. 7) extending about the central axis 15 as the shaft 14 rotates about the axis 15.

With this arrangement, each of the north and south poles N, S angularly displaces through first, second, third and fourth angular positions A₁, A₂, A₃ and A₄, respectively, on the circular path C_(P), which are spaced circumferentially apart about the axis 15 by about ninety degrees) (90°), as depicted in FIG. 7. Further, the sensor 18 is located in relation to the shaft 14 and the magnetic rod 32 such that the first angular position A₁ is generally proximal to the sensor 18, the third position A₃ is most distal from the sensor 18, and the second and third positions A₂, A₄ are generally equidistant from the sensor 18.

With the preferred magnet 30, the sensor 18 preferably includes a switch 40, most preferably a reed switch, disposed within the housing 12 and adjustable between first and second configurations C₁, C₂. One of the first and second configurations C₁, C₂ is a closed state (FIGS. 7B and 7A)and the other one of the first and second configurations C₁, C₂ is an open state (FIGS. 7A and 7B). The switch 40 is configured to adjust from the first configuration C₁ to the second configuration C₂ when either one of the north and south poles N, S approaches the first angular position A₁ on the circular path P_(C), i.e., the position most proximal to the switch 40, while the other pole N or S thus approaching the most distal position A₃, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C. The switch 40 is also configured to adjust from the second configuration C₂ to the first configuration C₁ when each one of the north and south poles N, S approaches a separate one of second and fourth angular positions A₂, A₄ on the circular path P_(C) located generally equidistant from the switch 40, as depicted in FIGS. 7B and 7D.

Thus, the second and fourth angular positions A₂, A₄ are located a sufficient distance from the switch 40 such that magnetic fields of/about each of the two poles N and S are too weak to generate a sufficient force to affect the switch 40. Further, if the switch 40 is a “normally closed switch”, the first configuration C₁ is a closed state and the second configuration C₂ is an open state, as shown in FIG. 7, and alternatively, if the switch 40 is a “normally open switch”, the first configuration C₁ is an open state and the second configuration C₂ is a closed state (not depicted). In either case, as fluid flow within the passage 24 rotates the detector 16, the angularly displacing magnet 30 causes the switch 40 to both open twice and to close twice for each revolution of the detector 16 about the axis 16.

Further, the processor 26 is configured to detect when the switch 40 adjusts to the open state C₂ or/and when the switch 40 adjusts to the closed state C₁ and to use the detected opening and closing of the switch to determine the angular displacement of the detector 16 about the shaft central axis 15 and/or the angular velocity of the detector 16 about the axis 15. More specifically, each occurrence of the opening or closing of the switch 40 generates an electrical pulse, such that the processor 26 detects that the detector 16 has rotated approximately a “quarter turn” or ninety degrees (90°) about the axis 15 when it receives a pulse. By counting the number of pulses generated by the switch 40, the processor 26 can calculate the total angular displacement of the flow detector 16, and by simultaneously tracking the time elapsed between receipt of the pulses, can also calculate the angular velocity of the rotating detector 16. As the angular displacement of the flow detector 16 can be correlated with the volume of fluid F flowing through the passage measuring section 25, the processor 26 is configured (i.e., programmed or hard-wired) to determine total volume of the flow and/or the flow rate through the passage 24. Having described the basic elements and functions above, these and other elements of the present fluid measuring device 10 are described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 15-17, 19 and 20, the flow detector 16 preferably includes a cylindrical body or disk 50 having a central opening 51 sized to receive the shaft 16 and a plurality of cavities 52 spaced circumferentially about the central axis 15. Most preferably, the detector disk 50 is generally formed as a conventional gear wheel (e.g., as a spur gear), but may alternatively be formed as a paddle wheel or any other appropriate structure capable of functioning generally as described herein. As best shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, each cavity 52 is at least partially fillable with a portion f_(P) of the fluid F such that the detector 16 transports the fluid portions f_(P) through the flow passage measuring section 25 during rotation of the disk 50 about the central axis 15. More specifically, fluid F enters the particular cavities 52 located within an upstream side U of the passage measuring section 25 at any specific instant during flow through the passage 24, and thereby exerts pressure on the disk/gear wheel 50 that generates torque about the central axis 15, causing the detector 16 and shaft 14 to rotate about the axis 15. The fluid portions f_(p) within the cavities 52 are carried by the disk 50 until reaching a downstream side D of the passage section 25, at which point the fluid portions flow out of the cavities 52, assisted by centrifugal force generated by the rotating disk 50, and into the passage section 25.

In a first construction of the flow measuring device 10, as shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 9 and 15, the flow detector 16 is a single disk or gear wheel 50 that rotates independently of any components not mounted coaxially on the shaft 14 and conveys substantially the entire volume of fluid F flowing through the passage section 25. More specifically, the disk/gear wheel 50 substantially obstructs the passage measuring section 25, as described in detail below, such that essentially the entire volume of fluid F flowing through the passage 14 is carried by the wheel 50 through the passage section 25. In other words, substantially all of the fluid F traversing the passage measuring section 25 is carried within the disk cavities 52 as opposed to flowing around the perimeter of the wheel 50. As such, the angular displacement of the flow detector 16 more closely correlates with the actual volume of fluid F flowing through the passage 24. Such an arrangement is more accurate than a “paddle wheel” arrangement in which a rotatable detector (not shown) is only partially disposed in a flow passage such that a substantial portion of a fluid flows past the detector without contact. Particularly with a highly viscous fluid (e.g., grease), the flow rate of a fluid across a radial cross-section of a passage may vary, for example, a portion of the flow may shear and move at a greater or lesser rate than another portion of the flow, which would not be ascertained by a detector only partially inserted into the passage.

In a second, presently preferred construction of the flow measuring device 10, depicted in FIGS. 17-25, the flow measuring device 10 further comprises a second, “idler” gear wheel 54 having a plurality of cavities 55 and being disposed on a rotatable shaft 56 spaced from the shaft 14, the shaft 56 being rotatable about an axis 57 generally parallel with the axis 15. The idler wheel 54 is located at least partially within the flow measuring section 25 and is meshed with the detector gear wheel 50. With this structure, fluid F flowing into the measuring passage section 25 is divided so as to flow about the a portion of the perimeter of each gear wheel 50 and 54, although only rotation of the shaft 14 is detected and monitored as described above. Together, the disk/gear wheel 50 and the idler gear wheel 54 substantially obstruct the passage measuring section 25, described in further detail below, such that essentially the entire volume of fluid F flowing through the passage 14 is carried by the two wheels 50, 54 through the passage section 25. Thus, as with the first construction described above, substantially all of the fluid F traversing the passage measuring section 25 is carried within the cavities 52, 55 of the two disks/wheels 50, 54 as opposed to flowing around the perimeter of each disk/wheel 50 or 54, such that flow detector angular displacement more accurately correlates with the actual fluid flow volume through the passage 24. Further, the flow rate about the two disks/wheels 50, 54 is determined by directly measuring the flow through the wheels 50, 54 and then correlating the measured flow with the rotation of the shaft 14 prior to operation of the flow measuring device 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 10, 13 and 14, in the first flow measuring device construction, the housing 12 preferably includes a generally rectangular block 60 having a first through hole 62 extending between front and rear surfaces 61A, 61B and providing the flow passage 24, a second through hole 64 extending between top and bottom surfaces 61C, 61D, respectively, for installation of the flow detector assembly 17, and a third through hole 66 extending between the left and right side surfaces 62E, 62F, for installation of the sensor 18. More specifically, the first or “flow passage” hole 62 includes a front, radially-larger outer bore section 68 extending inwardly from the block front surface 61A, a rear, radially-larger outer bore section 69 extending inwardly from the block rear surface 62B, a central, radially-smaller inner bore section 70 extending between and connecting the front and rear outer bore sections 68, 69 and providing the passage measuring section 25, and a centerline 71 extending between the front and rear surfaces 61A, 61B. Preferably, the front bore section 68 is adapted to receive a male coupler 2 (in phantom—FIG. 13) of the lubricant line first section 1 a and the block 60 has a generally circular cylindrical projection 72 extending from the rear surface 61A and providing a male coupler for fluidly connecting with a female coupler 3 (in phantom—FIG. 13) of the lubricant line second section 1 b, the rear outer bore section 69 extending through the projection 72.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 11 and 15, the second or “detector installation” hole 64 includes an upper, radially-larger outer bore section 74 extending inwardly from the block top surface 61C, a lower, radially-larger outer bore section 75 extending inwardly from the bottom surface 61D and a central, radially-smaller “stepped” inner bore section 76 extending between and connecting the upper and lower bore sections 74, 75. The detector installation through-hole 64 has a centerline 77 that is substantially collinear with the shaft axis 15 when the shaft 14 is installed within the block 60. The installation hole centerline 74 extends generally perpendicular to, but is spaced a distance A_(S) from, the flow passage centerline 67, as depicted in FIG. 15. The spacing distance A_(S) is lesser than the radius R_(B) of the upper bore section 74 such that a lower portion of the upper bore section 74 intersects or “cuts through” the central inner bore section 70 of the flow passage hole 62. As such, when the detector assembly 17 is installed within the hole 64, a portion of the detector body 50 is disposed within the flow passage 24 and substantially obstructs the passage measuring section 25.

More specifically, the upper bore section 74 is generally circular and is sized diametrically so as to receive the detector body 50 with a minimal annular clearance between the perimeter of the body 50 and an inner circumferential surface 74 a (FIG. 11) of the bore section 74. The bore lower end provides an annular radial surface 74 b (FIG. 11), the detector body 50 being generally disposed against the radial surface 74 b so as minimize axial clearance between the flow detector 16 and the bore section 74. Preferably, at least the portion of the upper bore inner surface 74 a above the flow detector 16 is threaded to receive a first threaded plug 80, as described below. Further, the lower bore section 75 is generally circular and is sized diametrically so as to receive the magnet rod 32 with sufficient clearance to permit free rotation of the magnet 30. The lower bore section 75 has an inner circumferential surface 75 a, at least the lower portion of which is threaded to receive a second threaded plug 82, described below. Furthermore, the stepped central bore section 76 has an upper portion 76 a sized to receive a circular sealing member 84, preferably an O-ring, to prevent leakage into the lower bore section 75, an annular shoulder 76 b sized to rotatably support the shaft 14, and a lower portion 76 c sized to receive an upper end of a preferred shaft rod 78, as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 10-12, the third or “sensor” hole 66 is preferably substantially circular and is located so as to position the sensor switch 40 proximal to the first angular position A₁ of the magnet 30. More specifically, the sensor hole 66 has a centerline 67 extending generally perpendicularly between the left and right side surfaces 61E, 61F and a substantially constant inside diameter (not indicated) at all points along the centerline 67. Further, the sensor hole 66 is spaced generally below the front bore section 68 of the flow passage hole 62 and extends generally adjacent to the lower bore section 75 of the installation hole 64, as best shown in FIG. 10. As such, when the sensor 18 is installed within the hole 66, the sensor switch 40, which is preferably centrally located within a sensor body 100, is positioned such that the magnetic field of either magnet rod end 34A or 34B, i.e., the north and south pole N, S, exerts a sufficient force to affect or adjust the switch 40 when the rod end 34A, 34B is at or proximal to the first angular position A₁, but not when the two ends 34A, 34B are both proximal to the second or fourth angular positions A₂, A₄.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-24, in the second, presently preferred construction of the flow measuring device 10, the housing 12 preferably includes a base 100 providing the flow passage 24 and containing the flow detector 16, a sensor block 102 mounted to a lower side of the base 100 and housing at least a portion of the detector assembly 17 and the sensor 18, and a cover 104 mounted to an upper side of the base 100 and providing access to the flow detector 16. The base 100 includes a through hole 106 extending between front and rear surfaces 101A, 101B and providing the flow passage 24 and upper and lower, generally rectangular pockets 108A, 108B extending inwardly from top and bottom surfaces 101C, 101D, respectively and transversely between side surfaces 101E, 101F. A double lobe-shaped through hole 110 and four coupler through holes 112 extend between upper and lower pocket surfaces 109A, 109B, the lobe-shaped hole 110 intersecting with the flow passage through hole 106 and providing the flow measuring section 25.

More specifically, the “flow passage” hole 106 includes a front, radially-larger outer bore section 107 extending inwardly from the block front surface 101A, a rear, radially-larger outer bore section 109 extending inwardly from the block rear surface 101B, a two central, radially-smaller inner bore sections 111A, 111B each extending between a separate outer bore section 101A, 101B and the lobe-shaped hole 110, and a centerline 113 extending between the front and rear surfaces 101A, 101B. Preferably, the front bore section 107 is adapted to receive a male coupler (not shown) of the lubricant line first section 1 a and the rear bore section 109 is adapted to receive a male coupler (not shown) of the lubricant line second section 1 b. Further, the lobe-shaped detector hole 110 has a first partially-circular section 114 for receiving the detector body/wheel 50 and a second partially-circular section 116 for receiving the idler wheel 54, each section 114, 116 being sized diametrically such that there is minimal annular clearance between the perimeter of each wheel 50, 54 and a partially circular inner surface of each section 115, 117, respectively, of each hole section 114, 116.

Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 23 and 24, the sensor block 102 has a stepped “shaft” through-hole 118 extending between top and bottom surfaces 103A, 103B for installation of portions of the detector assembly 17, a “sensor” through hole 120 extending between left and right side surfaces 103C, 103D for installation of the sensor 18, and four threaded fastening holes 122 (FIG. 17; only three shown) extending inwardly from the top surface 103A. The shaft hole 118 is located on the sensor block 102 such that the hole 118 is substantially collinear with the first circular lobe section 114 of the detector hole 110 when the sensor block 102 is connected with the base 100, as described below. Further, the shaft hole 118 has an upper, generally circular collar section 118 a for rotatably supporting an upper portion of the shaft 14, a lower generally circular section 118 b for receiving a bearing 132 of a preferred sensor assembly 17, as described below, and a central generally circular section 118 c within which the magnet 30 is rotatably disposed. Furthermore, the sensor hole 120 is preferably substantially circular and is located so as to position the sensor switch 40 proximal to the first angular position A₁ of the magnet 30.

More specifically, the sensor hole 120 has a centerline 121 extending generally perpendicularly between the left and right side surfaces 103C, 103D and a substantially constant inside diameter (not indicated) at all points along the centerline 121, and extends generally adjacent to the central section 118 c of the shaft hole 118. Thereby, when the sensor 18 is installed within the hole 120, the sensor switch 40, which is preferably centrally located within a sensor body 140, is positioned such that the magnetic field of either magnet rod end 34A or 34B, i.e., the north and south pole N, S, exerts a sufficient force to affect or adjust the switch 40 when the rod end 34A, 34B is at or proximal to the first angular position A₁, but not when the two ends 34A, 34B are both proximal to the second or fourth angular positions A₂, A₄ (see FIG. 7).

Referring particularly to FIG. 17, the cover 104 preferably includes a generally rectangular block 124 having four clearance holes 126 extending between top and bottom surfaces 125A, 125B. The cover block 124 is disposable within the upper pocket 108A of the base 100 such that each one of the cover clearance holes 126 is alignable with a separate one of the base coupler holes 112. Further, an upper end 102 a of the sensor block 102 is sized to fit within the lower pocket 108B such that each one of the block fastening holes 122 is alignable with a separate one of the base coupler holes 112. When the cover 104 and sensor block 102 so positioned on the base 100, a threaded fastener 126 is inserted through each of the four set of aligned holes 126, 112, 122 so as to connect the cover 104 and the sensor block 102 to the base 100, thereby enclosing the preferred two disks/wheels 50, 54 within the flow measuring section 25 of the base 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 17, 18 and 25, as mentioned above, the shaft 14 of the detector assembly 17 preferably includes a “stepped” circular cylindrical rod 78 having an upper, radially-smaller section 78 a and a lower, radially larger section 78 b. The shaft upper section 78 a is sized to fit within the central opening 51 of the detector body 50 so as to mount the flow detector 16 on the shaft 14. The shaft lower section 78 b has a through hole 79 sized to receive the magnet rod 30 to thereby mount the magnet 30 on the shaft 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 8 and 9, in the first construction of the flow measuring device 10, the detector assembly 17 preferably includes upper and lower shaft supports 86, 88 each configured to rotatably support a separate one of the shaft ends 14 a, 14 b. Preferably, the upper shaft support 86 is provided by a central closed bore 90 extending axially into the first threaded plug 80 and sized to receive the shaft upper end 14 a with a loose running fit. Further, the lower shaft support 88 is provided by a metallic ball 92 disposed within a closed central bore 93 extending axially into the second threaded plug 82, the shaft second end 14 b being seated upon an upper end of the ball 92 so as to rotate thereagainst.

Further, the first and second plug members 80, 82, besides functioning to support the detector assembly shaft 14, also function to each enclose a separate end 64 a, 64 b of the installation through hole 64. Each plug member 80, 82 includes a generally circular cylindrical body 94 having opposing, inner and outer ends 94 a, 94 b, respectively, and a threaded outer circumferential surface 95, and a hexagonal head 95 at the outer end 94 b of the cylindrical body 94, each plug bore 90, 93 (described above) extending inwardly from the body inner end 94 a. When the detector assembly 17 is installed in the housing 12, the first plug member 80 is threadably engaged with the upper bore section 74 of the installation hole 64, and a circular sealing member 96 (e.g., an O-ring) is preferably disposed between the first plug head 95 and the housing upper surface 61C, most preferably within an annular slot 97 in the head 95. After the first plug 80 is fully seated within the bore section 74, the detector body 50 is loosely sandwiched between the plug inner end 94 a and the bore end radial surface 74 b, which reduces the space about the detector body 50 to ensure fluid is transported by the detector 16 and as opposed to leaking around the body 50. Further, the second plug member 82 is threadably engaged with the lower bore section 75 of the installation hole 60 such that the head 95 is seated against the housing lower surface 61D. When the second plug 82 is seated within the bore section 75, the ball 92 contacts the shaft second end 14 b to rotatably support the shaft 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 17, 18 and 25, in the second construction of the flow measuring device 10, the lower section 78 b of the shaft cylindrical rod 78 has a central shoulder 130 and a bottom threaded portion 131. A bearing 132 is disposable on the rod lower portion 78 b between the shoulder 130 and the threaded portion 132 and rotatably supports the shaft 14. Further, a circular clip or “C-clip” 134 is disposed within an annular groove 135 extending outwardly from the shaft hole lower section 118 c and seats against the bottom surface 132 a of the bearing 132. Furthermore, a nut 136 is threaded onto the shaft threaded portion 131 until pressing against the bottom surface 132 a of the bearing 132, thereby securing the detector assembly 17 within the sensor block 102.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6-8, 17 and 24, the preferred sensor 18 includes a generally cylindrical body 140 housing the elements of the reed switch 40 and having opposing axial ends 140 a, 140 b, and a pair of electrical lines 142 (e.g., wires) extending from one end 140 a of the body 140. As reed switches are well known in the sensing technology, a detailed description of the sensor 18 is unnecessary and beyond the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the electrical lines 142 of the sensor 18 are electrically connected with the processor 26, which may be of any appropriate type or construction, such as for example, an embedded microprocessor mounted on the housing 12 or a separate PLC, computer, etc. (none shown). In any case, the processor 26 is configured to receive the electric pulses from the switch 40 and programmed to determine or calculate the fluid flow rate through the fluid measuring device 10 and/or the total volume of fluid flow through the device 10 from the pulses received, as discussed below.

Prior to use, the fluid measuring device 10 is fluidly coupled into a lubrication system (not depicted) by connecting the lubricant line sections 1 a, 1 b with the front and rear bore sections 68, 69 or 107, 109 of the flow passage 24, as depicted in FIGS. 13. When the lubrication system is operational, fluid/lubricant enters the front bore section 68 or 107 and passes through into the central bore section 70 or first inner bore section 111A until reaching the passage measuring section 25. The fluid/lubricant flow F contacts the detector body/gear wheel 50, or meshed wheels 50, 54, so as to both fill those cavities 52 (and cavities 55 in the second construction) exposed to the upstream side U of the flow passage 24 and exert torque on the detector 16, thereby causing the detector 16 and shaft 14 to rotate about the shaft axis 15. As the detector 16 rotates, the concurrently rotating magnet 30 causes the switch 40 to cyclically open and close while the lubricant/fluid is transported by the detector 16 (in discrete portions f_(P)) to the downstream side D of the central passage section 25, so as to flow thereafter through the rear bore section 69 or 109 and into the lubricant line second section 1 a. As the detector 16 rotates, different portions of the detector body 50, and of the idler wheel 54 in the second construction, rotate through the passage measuring section 25, such that the plurality of cavities 52 (and cavities 55) are sequentially filled on the upstream side U and vacated on the downstream side D to provide a generally continuous flow of the fluid/lubricant.

The pulses generated by the cyclically opening and closing switch 40 are continuously transmitted to the processor 26 as lubricant flows through the fluid measuring device 10. As the amount of fluid flow required to rotate the detector 16 by ninety degrees)(90° can be readily predetermined, the total amount or volume of flow F through the passage measuring section 25, and thus through the flow detector 10, can be calculated. Further, using information from a timing circuit (not indicated), the processor 26 can correlate the fluid volume information with the angular velocity of the rotating shaft 16, determined by number of pulses per a given unit of time, to determine the fluid flow rate through the passage section 25, and thus through the flow measuring device 10.

The present fluid measuring device 10 has a number of advantages over previously known fluid detecting or measuring devices. By using a rotating wheel/gear as the flow detector 16 and a reed switch as the sensor 18, the fluid measuring components of the flow measuring device 10 are relatively simple to manufacture, and thus relatively low cost, and robust under all potential operating temperatures. In particular, the reed switch sensor 18 is a relatively inexpensive and simple device that can operate within a wide range of temperatures. Further, by utilizing a gear wheel 50 as the detector 16 and arranging the wheel 50 to substantially obstruct the fluid passage 24, the flow measuring device 10 is more accurate than many previous devices as substantially all of fluid flow must be transported by the detector 16. This feature is particularly important with higher viscosity lubricants which could otherwise shear and flow around a previous known detector without being detected.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as generally defined generally herein and in the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A device for measuring flow of a fluid, the flow measuring device comprising: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet; a shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable about a central axis; a flow detector mounted on the shaft and disposed at least partially within the passage such that fluid flow through the passage rotates the detector about the central axis; a magnet mounted on the shaft and spaced axially from the detector; and a sensor disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the shaft angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector.
 2. The flow measuring device of claim 1 wherein: the magnet has north and south poles and is arranged such that each of the north and south poles angularly displaces through first, second, third and fourth angular positions spaced circumferentially apart about the axis by about ninety degrees, the first angular position being generally proximal to the sensor; and the sensor includes a switch configured to adjust from a first configuration to a second configuration when either one of the north and south poles approaches the first angular position and to adjust from the second configuration to the first configuration when each of the north and south poles approaches a separate one of the second and fourth angular positions, the first configuration being one of an open state and a closed state and the second configuration being the other one of an open state and a closed state such that the switch opens and closes twice for each revolution of the flow detector.
 3. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 2 wherein the switch is a reed switch.
 4. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 2 further comprising a processor electrically coupled with the sensor and configured to detect at least one of when the switch adjusts to the open state and when the switch adjusts to the closed state and to determine at least one of the angular displacement of the detector about the axis and the angular velocity of the detector about the axis.
 5. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 2 wherein the magnet includes a generally cylindrical rod having two opposing ends and a centerline extending between the two ends, each rod end providing a separate one of the north and south poles, the rod being generally centered on the axis such that the centerline extends generally perpendicular to the central axis and the two rod ends are located generally equidistant from the axis.
 6. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow detector is at least partially disposed within a section of the flow passage and includes at least one generally cylindrical body having a plurality of cavities spaced circumferentially about the central axis, each cavity being at least partially fillable with a portion of the fluid such that the detector transports the fluid portions through the flow passage section during rotation about the central axis.
 7. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one a pair of generally cylindrical bodies spaced axially apart
 7. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 6 wherein the detector cylindrical body is formed as a gear wheel.
 8. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 6 wherein the cylindrical body substantially obstructs the flow passage such that substantially all of the fluid is transported through the passage section by the detector.
 9. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 1 wherein: the housing includes a block having first and second openings and a through-hole extending generally between the openings and generally transverse to the flow passage; the shaft has first and second ends spaced apart along the central axis; and the flow measuring device further comprises first and second plug members, the first plug member rotatably supporting the shaft first end and being removably disposed within the block first opening, the second plug member rotatably supporting the shaft second end and being removably disposed within the block second opening.
 10. A device for measuring flow of a fluid, the flow measuring device comprising: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet; a shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable about a central axis; a flow detector mounted on the shaft and disposed at least partially within the passage such that fluid flow through the passage rotates the detector about the central axis; a magnetic rod mounted on the shaft, spaced axially from the detector, and having two opposing ends and a centerline extending between the two ends, one rod end providing a north pole and the other rod end providing a south pole, the rod being generally centered on the axis such that the centerline extends generally perpendicular to the central axis and the two rod ends displace generally along a circular path about the central axis; and a switch disposed within the housing and configured to adjust from a first configuration to a second configuration when either one of the north and south poles approaches a position on the circular path most proximal to the switch and to adjust from the second configuration to the first configuration when each of the north and south poles approach a separate one of two positions on the circular path located generally equidistant from the switch, one of the first and second configurations being a closed state and the other one of the first and second configurations being an open state.
 11. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 10 wherein the switch is a reed switch.
 12. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 10 further comprising a processor electrically coupled with the sensor and configured to detect at least one of when the switch adjusts to the open state and when the switch adjusts to the closed state and to determine at least one of the angular displacement of the detector about the axis and the angular velocity of the detector about the axis.
 13. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 10 wherein the flow detector is at least partially disposed within a section of the flow passage and includes a cylindrical body having a plurality of cavities spaced circumferentially about the central axis, each cavity being at least partially fillable with a portion of the fluid such that the detector transports the fluid portions through the flow passage section during rotation about the central axis.
 14. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 13 wherein the detector cylindrical body is formed as a gear wheel.
 15. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 14 wherein: the housing includes a pair of facing surfaces spaced apart by a distance and partially defining the section of the flow passage; and the detector cylindrical body has an axial width of about the spacing distance, a portion of the detector cylindrical body being disposed between the facing surfaces so as to substantially obstruct the flow passage section.
 16. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 10 wherein: the housing includes a block having first and second openings and a through-hole extending generally between the openings and generally transverse to the flow passage; the shaft has first and second ends spaced apart along the central axis; and the flow measuring device further comprises first and second plug members, the first plug member rotatably supporting the shaft first end and being removably disposed within the block first opening, the second plug member rotatably supporting the shaft second end and being removably disposed within the block second opening.
 17. A device for measuring flow of a highly viscous fluid, the flow measuring device comprising: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet; a shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable about a central axis, the axis extending generally perpendicular to at least one section of the passage; a generally cylindrical flow detector disk mounted on the shaft, having a plurality of cavities spaced circumferentially about the central axis and being disposed at least partially within the passage so as to substantially obstruct the section of the passage such that the fluid flowing through the passage contacts the disk, at least partially fills at least one of the cavities and rotates the disk about the central axis while the disk transports the fluid through the flow passage section; a sensor disposed within the housing and configured to sense rotation of the shaft about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the detector disk; and a processor electrically coupled with the sensor and configured to determine at least one of a flow rate of the fluid through the passage and a total volume of flow of the fluid through the passage.
 18. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 17 wherein further comprising a magnet mounted on the shaft and spaced axially from the detector disk, the sensor being configured to sense rotation of the magnet as the shaft angularly displaces about the central axis so as to detect angular displacement of the flow detector disk.
 19. The flow measuring device of claim 18 wherein: the magnet has north and south poles and is arranged such that each of the north and south poles angularly displaces through first, second, third and fourth angular positions spaced circumferentially apart about the axis by about ninety degrees, the first angular position being generally proximal to the sensor; and the sensor includes a reed switch configured to adjust from a first configuration to a second configuration when either one of the north and south poles approaches the first angular position and to adjust from the second configuration to the first configuration when each of the north and south poles approaches a separate one of the second and fourth angular positions, the first configuration being one of an open state and a closed state and the second configuration being the other one of an open state and a closed state such that the switch opens and closes twice for each revolution of the flow detector.
 20. The flow measuring device as recited in claim 19 wherein the magnet includes a generally cylindrical rod having two opposing ends and a centerline extending between the two ends, each rod end providing a separate one of the north and south poles, the rod being generally centered on the axis such that the centerline extends generally perpendicular to the central axis and the two rod ends are located generally equidistant from the axis. 